Despite the heat, voters in Framingham are casting their ballots in today's U.S. Senate race at a good clip.

"It's a wonderful turnout - surprisingly so because we were expecting a low turnout," Precinct 8 warden Eleanor Crawford said this morning at McCarthy Elementary School.

Crawford said voters were even waiting at the door for the polling place to open at 7 a.m.

Voter Peter Gross said he voted for U.S. Rep. Edward Markey, a Democrat whose congressional district includes Framingham.

"I run pretty liberal so it was an easy decision," Gross said.

Another voter, Carl Lind, said he also voted to send Markey to the Senate to take John Kerry's former seat: "He has experience. Experience can do a lot."

Republican candidate Gabriel Gomez earned Bob Briggs' vote.

"He's a veteran, I'm a veteran," the 74-year-old said.

Carol Jensen said she was undecided until she watched Gomez's TV ad that asks "Mr. Markey" what he has accomplished in 37 years on Capitol Hill.
"He has a point," said Jensen, who voted with her husband, Charles.

She said she usually votes Democrat - "for the people," as her dad taught her.
"I did switch and I went for Gomez," she said. "It is time for a change. Things need to change."